Hilary &
Michael
are hosting
a
love party
/ Wedding /
New Years
Event
3 1 . 1 2 . 2 0 2 3
T O O B O R A C
V I C T O R I A
Hilary & Bells
Eternal vows
Camping and glamping
We invite you to celebrate our special day and new beginnings for 2024.
Pouring our spirit into this event, expect a Hilary and Michael cultivated evening, filled with all our favourite lovely people, delicious treats, amazing views and many laughs into the night.
We have designed a summer wedding set against the backdrop of scattered boulders and rolling hills.
Please join us in celebrating the family & community who have made us the people we are and the coming together of Australian, Italian and Dutch heritages.
Through conscious gathering, performances, play, soulful music and practices of traditions - the stage is set for the merger of two communities into one big family.
Please arrive with curiosity, playfulness, hungry appetites and your dancing shoes.
Howling to the moon will be encouraged.
Emu Flat is a family owned, off-grid property set on 65 hectares of beautiful Taungurung land. It is covered with granite boulders and lush vegetation.
The property is in transition from agricultural land to what will become a mix of vineyards and a re-wilded Australian native bushland.
We ask that you keep in mind that the site has no infrastructure and all facilities will be brought in for the event and trucked out following to leave no trace.
Please be patient with our set-up, careful of potholes in the landscape and respectful of our flora, fauna and human neighbours.
Let’s touch the ground lightly together and dance under the stars
170 Emu Flat - Baynton Road, Tooborac, Vic 3522
12pm - Campsite set up (details below)
3pm - Celebrations commence
10:30 pm - Dinner and Wedding formalities are planned to be finished as we look to transition into the New Years Countdown!
11:30am - Whether you go with the Hilary and Michael camping experience or find local accommodation, we would love see everyone for a recovery lunch at Tooborac Hotel and Brewery.
We have reserved the garden space outside, where food and drink can be purchased from the Hotel.
All events during the celebration will be held at Emu Flat and we invite guests to stay on-site with us on the night using the camping facilities described in further detail below.
For those wishing to stay off-site, we have also listed some suggestions of accommodations.
Alternatively the site is just over an hour drive from the centre of Melbourne for those wishing to drive to and from the event. Accessible car-parking will be zoned for those driving only for the day.
We love the idea of celebrating and partying with our closest friends for as long as possible.
For those willing to embracing the outdoor experience, camping & toilet facilities will be set up on site.
Whether it is a swag, tent, caravan or motor-home, we hope as many as possible join us in camping at this special location.
We have scheduled camp set up for guests from noon onwards on the day of the wedding, with hopes that you are ready to roll from 3pm- guest arrival time.
The camping area is right at the entry of property and will be clearly identified. There will likely be some tents already set up to guide you.
There will be signage noting our caravan/camper zone vs tent/swag zone (this will be car free). Those with tents will need to park your car in areas marked and carry gear the short walk to the tent zone. For both safety and logistics we want to keep vehicles separate.
Setting up tents can be hot work sometimes, so if you require a shower and space to get ready after you have set up your site, there is a shower and bathroom available at Tooborac Hotel and Brewery. BYO towels.
The guys here will host us the next day and have been given the heads up to show you where to go. It is also a lovely place to hang beforehand if you have time to kill before the wedding.
Note this is a 15 minute drive from the site.
We will also have a small gazebo, mirror, and prep station near the campsite for those who want to get ready amongst the trees.
We unfortunately won't be in a position to host before the 3pm kick off time, so ask that if you arrive early, you head to the Brewery or hang out in the shade.
Please note, the camping zone will not have any power, so place those phones on battery saver if needed during the night!
Toilets will be located a short walk from the camping zone.
We will have coffee and breakfast snacks available at the main marquee the morning after. Roll out of bed and join us for a cuppa before we head to the recovery brunch at the Tooborac Hotel and Brewery around 11am.
Queen Medow Caravan Park, Heathcote
The Lancefield Lodge, Lancefield
Fox on the Run - Motel Kilmore
Comfort Inn Coach & Bushmans, Seymour
Big4 Seymour Holiday Park, Seymour
Planning a wedding from afar is a little complex so if you could please
As soon as is convenient, and by latest Nov 1st.
Semi-formal, Dressy-Casual, Festive...Wear what you feel comfortable in!
Colour and pattern is welcomed.
Bring a layer as it might get cold when the sun goes down.
Bring your dancing shoes*
*Note, this is a rural property, expect potholes and choose your shoes/ heels accordingly!
Please note that the event will occur within the fire season. Total Fire ban rules will apply.
Updates and advice will be issued closer to the date as applicable
Children welcome - just let us know if you're bringing them or having a night off!
We can't imagine our wedding day without having all our loved ones here to celebrate with us. Your presence at our wedding is absolutely the most meaningful present we can receive. However, if you were planning on bringing a little gift, (as our Abbotsford warehouse is still a little way from needing to be filled with physical gifts of toaster ovens, cutlery sets and matching embroidered towels,) we will have a wishing well set up at our reception and any financial contribution toward this new chapter of our life will be appreciated.
If you have any queries about the wishing well, gifts or bank details, please contact Sally Duff on 0432 061 193
Shoot us an email at: hilbellswedding@gmail.com